Vertebral fracture in a fused spine for scoliosis. A case report.
METHODS
A case report.


OBJECTIVE
To document a fracture of the 11th thoracic vertebra after spine fusion for adult idiopathic scoliosis.


BACKGROUND
Three cases of vertebral fractures associated with spine fusion for scoliosis were found in the literature.


METHODS
Medical and radiologic records and related literature were reviewed.


RESULTS
A 30-year-old woman had undergone anterior and posterior fusion with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation for progressive idiopathic scoliosis. Two years after surgery, she was in a car accident. A radiographic study and computer tomographic scanning depicted a fracture of T11 and bending of the rods. Observation was instituted and symptoms resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Fracture of a vertebra within an extensive spine fusion for scoliosis is rare. The 360 degrees solid fusion together with strong posterior instrumentation may have had some protective effect in this patient.
Bagó
J
J
Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Hospital de Traumatología Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Sala
M
M
Sirera
J
J
Villanueva
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011859:Radiography; D019233:Retreatment; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion